cztexas

My GL550 with 21" AMG needs new tires. Have been struggled for a while for the selection. I even purchase a set of used Mercedes 18" OEM wheels. But finally, I settled with 20" Replica Wheels from Usarim.
I was concerned about the quality. But so far it is fine.
The most important is: I can use Michelin Tires!!! Well, $172 for 20" Michelin vs $425 for 21" Conti, and it is just 10mm different for the width (285 vs 295). What I can say? It is much much much better for the ride!! I would highly recommend this setup. And it looks good, at least much better than the 18" OEM wheels as I initially planned.
Check the picture.


P.S. for 20" wheels, I would suggest go for 285/50 instead of 275/50. Although you are going 1 mile faster for every 30 miles, you will have more choice on tires and they are much less expensive!

islandbeef

USARim is not too far from my house, I may stop by for a visit. 20" seems to be the wisest choice without sacrificing ride comfort and cost for new tires.

Thanks for sharing! The GL looks great! What kind of tint film did you put on your front two side windows? Is that metallic?

Post more pics from different angles if you can.

cztexas

Thank you! When you check USARim, make sure to check their gunmental color. I think it should looks better, although I cannot take that risk since I cannot see it first.
All those window glasses are original OEM ones for GL550. The front one is called Heat Insulating and IR Reflecting Safety Glass. The part numbers are 1647200520 (front driver) and 1647200620 (front passenger), or 1647200720 and 1647200820. Although I did not figure it out what's the difference between 1647200520/620 and 1647200720/820. The later set is a little bit cheaper.


I am out of town for now, I will try to take more pictures when I get back in two weeks.

islandbeef

I figure the all-silver wheels would look better with my Palladium Silver paint and the gunmetal/black wheel designs would look better in darker colored cars.

georgeore

Curious to know if you considered 22" rims. It seems like there are also quite a few choices of tires in that size.

islandbeef

Indeed, there's a large selection of 22" tires compared to 21" size. It's a matter of preference and from what I've learned (from fellow MBWorld owner feedback) is ride comfort suffers when you go larger because of reduced tire (cushioning) sidewall.

It's up to you, but I prefer comfort.

cztexas

I totoally agreed. I definitely will go for comfort ride.

georgeore

Would the difference between 21" and 22" wheels be very noticeable?

BlownV8

As long as you go with the same tire to wheel ratio, it will feel the same. You will take a slight hit in mileage but that's it.

cztexas

I just got my replacement glass via the part number. But it did not match the original color. I was thinking it was due to the tint. But it is not. The factory one has some kind of green/mirror refection effect. The new one via 1647200620 part number also some some thin film, but they are not same.


I have no idea whether I can get the same color or not. right now, my passenger side is different with my driver side. Sad!!

2010GL550

This seems like a brilliant idea! I'm on my third set of Continentals and we are getting close to needing to replace them again. If I recall correcting, we paid ~$1,700 for the four tires (plus mounting, etc.).


I found a set of wheels I like on USARIM.com for $750 (MBZ-759-20-SLV), as you mentioned tires are now cheap. Tire Rack has 20" tire sets for $700 (or less).


So I save $250 on this set and $1,000 on the next set?!

2010GL550

I need someone to check my calculations.


OEM measurements:
21" wheels are 533.4mm
295/40-21 tires have 59mm tall sidewalls
OEM total diameter is 651.4mm


-1 Wheel/tire combo:
20" wheels are 508mm
285/50-20 tires have 71.25mm tall sidewalls
-1 Wheel/tire combo total diameter is 650.5mm


I don't think the speedometer will be inaccurate at all, right?

2010GL550

Never mind, I found a website that validates what CZTEXAS states.


http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/tir...0r21-285-50r20


If need be, I'll run a little less air pressure in the new setup and I bet things will be just fine. Hell, I'm ALMOST excited about needing new tires now.

tifosiv122

Does yours have TPMS? If so - any issues with the new rims?

Thanks,
Erik

CBR2200

Thanks for sharing! This is exactly what I'll probably do the next time I need tires. The 21" tire selection is ridiculous.

a2j

Upgraded my 19s to 20s for $250 (all said and done) when it was time to get new tires. New tires were only $800 instead of $1600.

MNMBbuyer

Bought my first GL550 a few months back, its a 2013 and am now running into replacing a set of tires and finiding what you all are mentioning. My question is; if I replace the 21' wheels with 20', for better / less costly tire choices, does that in any way void the CPO warranty I have for three more years? Thanks for the input!

007_e350

i bought Rohanas RF1 for our x5 only because they claimed it's half the weight, and it sure is.. car is much quicker off the line and brakes way better, I was thinking of doing the same with GL, but that being said how's the weight on those rims?